2003 Ford Escape: won't start

7 of the 558 complaints about the 2003 Ford Escape describe won't start.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 103,500
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2023
3
2022
1
2020
6
2019
6
2018
22
2017
33
2016
12
2015
17
2014
26
2013
51
2012
4
2011
16
2010
18
2009
13
2008
29
2007
1
2006
4
2005
9
2004
4
2003
7
2002
9
2001
12

What owners say

Filed Mar 26, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 103,500 miles · TX

Vehicle stalls or will not start as described in ford recall number 04s13. I have replaced multiple parts including fuel pump, gas cap, fuel filter,etc. And now I found that there was a problem with the PCM programming on this vehicle. I purchased this truck used and do not know if this was serviced. This is a dangerous problem as stalling can cause an accident.

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 171,000 miles · CO

My 2003 for escape refuses to start after being driven until several hours if not days later. I have replaced the starter twice the first time it worked for 2 months and it did it again on 9-2-14 replaced the starter again and it will not start still there is no power going to any of the electrical parts in the engine compartment and there is a strong smell of fuel. I have replaced all relays and fuses and still nothing. I was stranded with my 5 month old and 16 month old in 100 degree weather.

Filed May 5, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 130,000 miles · CO

We bought my 2003 ford escape june 13th 2012 for 8k. We drove around town and made a quick stop before going home. The escape would not start back up. We bought a new battery had that placed. Attempted to drive and the truck started and shut back off. We finally got it to start got it back to the dealer and they replaced the entire fuel system. We got on the highway a few day later the car stalled out. So for the past 20 months of owning the car it stalls out at home, on the road, and on the highway. I drive to work and home. Once it has been driven it shuts off. I have taken it to two dealerships including the one that I bought it from groove ford in colorado and 8 other mechanics. They cannot diagnose what the problem is as the computer does not state what's wrong. I have put thousands of dollars into this SUV. As well as asking other ford escape owners that I see driving around town if they have had this experience. It is totally unsafe to drive a vehicle that stalls while you are driving. Please tell ford to look into this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Airbags, Electrical · 100,321 miles · TX

I have a 03 ford escape, and the trouble is endless. The car will not start at times and it is a strong smell of gas when this happens. I have had it in and out of the shop about 6 times and has had the car for only 2 years. The failure to start is scary because you don't know if the car is going to explode or what. The dealership tells me that it is a sensor that goes out and tells the car it doesn't have to start. Been replaced 6 times and the other day it did it again. I hate to go out of town because of the fear of getting stranded on the highway. And another thing the smell of the engine is crazy my daughter has asthma and talking about a problem for her it is. I can go to work and go back 30 minutes later to my car and you can tell that it is still smelling of course where I got it from they told me that it was no concern it was due to the fact of them dropping oil when they did a change, come on people 2 months later. I fear that one day it will explode I just pray to god that my family is not in there. The airbag light will not go off and from reading in here I am scared to death. Something really needs to be done about this problem before some family loses a member.

Filed May 12, 2007 · Electrical · 59,000 miles · OK

The 2003 ford escape died when going to a stop or prior to acceleration. No apparent reason. This has continued to happen. I contacted ford ,and they told me it was probably bad gas. This has been going on for months. Also, I had to pull to the side of the road and check for fire inside of the vehicle. As there was a very strong smell of burning rubber or wire. No fire found yet. Engine will race for no apparent reason. Vehicle attempted to roll forward after it has been put in park and even after it has been turned off. Today one more nightmare has began. I drove the escape approximately 4 minutes, returned home, and killed the vehicle. It will not start. If I turned the key to the 3rd position all lights went out. It will not move out of park. This has been a complete nightmare trying to keep this vehicle going. I have tried on numerous occasions to get the vehicle into ford for recall on ABS. They can give approximate date, but nothing definite.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · 4,530 miles · IA

When the temperature is warmer, the escape intermittedly will not start. Takes anywhere from 4 to 7 times of cranking before SUV starts. Occured first in aug., the ford shop reprogrammed the computer. One month later doesn't start again. Ford shop left ticket open because they can't find problem. In october, happens again. Now they have installed a piece of equipment that I have to push a button as I'm cranking if the car doesn't start. The piece of equipment is only good for 1 week, have to keep going in to have it reset.

Filed Nov 26, 2003 · Engine · NC

I bought a 2003 ford escape in november 2002 and I have experienced a lot of problems with my SUV over 5 times. Right now, my SUV is in the shop for a coolant system replacement and a radio replacement. My radio was replaced twice this year already. My SUV wouldn't start twice this year. I believe I have driven a loaner car at least 5 times since nov 2003. I am not happy with my SUV. I feel it is a lemon. It has been a problem for me since day one.